Assessment of nitrogen content in buffalo manure and land application costs
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Date
2012-08-29
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Page Press
Abstract
Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) livestock for mozzarella cheese production
plays a fundamental role in the economy of southern Italy. European and
Italian regulations consider nitrogen content in buffalo manure to be the
same as that of cattle manure. This study aimed to assess whether this
assumption is true. The first aim of the study was to assess nitrogen con
tent in buffalo manure. Samples were taken from 35 farms to analyse nitro
gen and phosphorous concentration in the manure. Analysis confirmed a
lower nitrogen concentration (2%) in buffalo manure. A secondary aim of
the study was to evaluate whether manure application techniques that are
apparently less suitable, e.g. splash plate spreader, could be feasible. The
cost of different methods of land application of manure and their charac
teristics were evaluated on the basis of one operational cycle. Considering
losses for volatilisation, and taking into account cost assessment, the
immediate incorporation of buffalo manure (nitrogen content 2%) is a
suitable method of ammonia volatilisation. However, it is expensive and
involves high fuel consumption in relation to the environmental benefit.
Description
Keywords
Bubalus bubalis, buffalo manure, manure management, spread ing techniques, spreading costs
Citation
Faugno, S., Pindozzi, S., Infascelli, R., Okello, C., Ripa, M. N., & Boccia, L. (2012). Assessment of nitrogen content in buffalo manure and land application costs. Journal of Agricultural Engineering, 43(2), e13-e13.